For the fifth year, the Northwest's Withers Ranch opens to the
public for the annual Tucson Wool Festival this Saturday, Oct.
17.

Fiber enthusiasts, families and animal lovers enjoy the free
event at the working fiber ranch off Linda Vista and
Thornydale.

"Educating the public about animal husbandry and the many uses
of natural fibers — spinning, knitting, crocheting, weaving, and
felting is my passion," said ranch owner Kathy Withers, so
workshops and demonstrations continue be the focal point of the
festival.

The event features fiber artists and vendors from all over the
Southwest, with demonstrations of weaving, spinning and various
types of felting. Visitors can tour the eight-acre ranch and meet
Withers' exotic mix of alpacas, llamas, angora goats and rabbits,
as well as Shetland, Jacob, Border Leicester and Rambouillet sheep.
Danny Smith is back from Missouri to demonstrate the art of
shearing sheep and goats.

In recognition of the International Year of Natural Fibers, hand
spinning events open to the general public have been added, and
expert guest judges will be on hand to critique handspun yarn and
spinning techniques. Anyone interested in participating in the
spinning events should check the website for details.

Again this year, the festival features a "community
sheep-to-shawl project," this time a one-of-a-kind freeform lap
rug. For the past year, the Freeform Spinners Group, which meets at
the ranch, has been spinning, weaving, knitting and crocheting a
lap rug. It'll be raffled off at the festival, with all proceeds
donated to Casa Maria kitchen, which feeds many hungry Tucsonans
each week.

"Casa Maria serves a bag lunch to more than 600 people and more
than 200 families," according to Brian Flagg. "We exist entirely on
private donations, so food, clothes, money, and help in the soup
kitchen are always appreciated. We are busier than ever."

Work is beginning Saturday on a new project to be raffled next
year. Everyone — experienced fiber artist and novice alike — can
knit, crochet or weave a small section of the project, to be
completed over the next year and raffled off at the festival in
2010.

Admission to the Tucson Wool Festival is free. Families,
community groups and anyone interested in learning more about the
fiber arts are welcome. Activities begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, and
conclude at 3 p.m. Call 572-3758 or e-mail jmarckathy@aol.com for more
information, or view the latest Tucson Wool Festival info at
http://www.uniquedesignsbykathy.com">www.uniquedesignsbykathy.com.

Tucson Wool Festival

Free and open to the public

Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Withers Ranch, 4010 W. Palo Seco

From I-10: Exit Cortaro Farms Rd., east to Thornydale, north
past Linda Vista, next left on Palo Seco. Withers Ranch is the
second driveway on the right. Parking will be just past the wrought
iron gates or along the road.